Common Wood-Nymph

(Cercyonis pegala)

Common Wood-Nymph sightings by week

Common Wood-Nymph sightings, by week (about)

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Rocky Run Oak Savanna SNA, Columbia Co., WI, June 30, 2004.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Lodi Marsh SNA, Dane Co., WI, July 30, 2005.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Mecan Discovery Center, Marquette Co., WI, July 20, 2002.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Hamerstrom Preserve, Plainfield, Waushara Co., WI, July 24, 2003.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Muir Lake SNA, Marquette Co., WI, July 7, 2005.

This is by far the most common butterfly in the state on a regular basis. From 2004–2007 they were seen on all but one NABA count and an average of more than 1000 butterflies per year were observed during these counts. At Jersey Flats in the Northern Kettle Moraine we have seen more than 200 of this species on a regular basis in the last five years. Unlike the Monarchs and other showy butterflies this species is not seen far from its natural habitat, and its lack of color makes it less conspicuous than other butterfly species.

Identifying characteristics: Below, this brown butterfly has two large eyespots on the forewing surrounded by a yellow ring while the hindwing has a variable number of visible eyespots. Note the six obvious ones, smaller than those in the forewing, in the top photo and the lack of those in the second photo. The upper wings are brown with two eyespots on the forewing, but these are rarely seen in the field. I have not seen it in Wisconsin, but in Michigan and Illinois a variant occurs that has the yellow surrounding the eyespots on the forewing larger and connected, so that it is a yellow patch with two darker eyespots within it.

Similar species: None in Wisconsin.

Habitat: Grasslands and open fields near woodlands. Prairie restorations are often hot spots for this species.

Flight: One brood from late June and often into early September.

Abundance: This is the most abundant of the satyrs in Wisconsin and is to be expected throughout the state in July.

Recent Common Wood-Nymph Sightings

Date seenCountyReported by
WednesdayGreenCraig Ellefson
WednesdayIowaAnn Thering
SundayBayfieldRyan Brady
SundaySaukMike Reese, David Reese
08–23–2008WausharaMike Reese
08–22–2008DaneTod Highsmith
08–20–2008JacksonMike Reese
08–20–2008MarinetteAdrian Konell
08–19–2008SaukAnn Thering
08–19–2008MarinetteAdrian Konell
08–19–2008MarquetteMike Reese
08–17–2008MarquetteMike Reese
08–17–2008BayfieldRyan Brady
08–17–2008GreenCraig Ellefson
08–17–2008WausharaMike Reese
08–16–2008GreenAnn Thering and Dave Eide
08–16–2008JeffersonTod Highsmith
08–16–2008JuneauMike Reese
08–16–2008DoorWayne Anderson
08–15–2008BayfieldRyan Brady
08–15–2008DaneMike Reese
08–15–2008ColumbiaMike Reese
08–14–2008PortageMike Reese
08–11–2008IowaAnn Thering
08–11–2008JacksonMike Reese
08–10–2008BayfieldDave Hanson, David Bratley
08–10–2008BayfieldRyan Brady
08–10–2008MilwaukeeJudith Huf
08–10–2008WoodRon Arnold
08–10–2008GreenJeanette Klodzen

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distribution of Common Wood-Nymph
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Common Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis pegala